Vietnam – Sri Lanka cooperation still has much room for development

This is the content presented at the information sharing session about Sri Lanka organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations in coordination with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vietnam, on March 12 in Hanoi.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Phan Anh Son, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, said: Vietnam and Sri Lanka have a traditional friendship, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Sri Lankan leaders. On July 21, 1970, the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. Over the past 55 years, the relationship between the two countries has witnessed many positive developments in the fields of politics, economy, culture, etc. The two countries have organized many visits by high-ranking leaders. The people of the two countries support each other, especially in the resistance war for independence.

According to Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have many similarities in history, culture and religion. The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Vietnam need to continue to coordinate, contributing to promoting bilateral relations to develop commensurate with their potential.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Vietnam Poshitha Perera shared information about history; political, economic and social situation; foreign policy; Sri Lanka’s strengths; and potential for Vietnam – Sri Lanka cooperation.

Regarding relations with Vietnam, Ambassador Poshitha Perera said: The people of Sri Lanka have good feelings for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. The two countries have signed many important cooperation documents, such as: Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement; Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement; Air Transport Agreement; Memorandums of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of agriculture, education, tourism, culture, etc.

Vietnam-Sri Lanka exchanges in the field of Buddhism are taking place actively. The two countries regularly exchange delegations. In 2018 and 2023, Sri Lanka presented Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ha Nam province) and Bai Dinh Pagoda (Ninh Binh province) with two branches from the “Great Auspicious Bodhi Tree” (Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi) at Mahamegha Relic, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. In 2024, the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Sri Lankan Buddhist Sangha Council signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in Buddhist education and charity work.

Regarding trade and investment cooperation, in 2023, the total trade turnover between Vietnam and Sri Lanka will reach about 225 million USD. As of 2022, Sri Lankan investors have invested in 27 projects in Vietnam with a capital flow of 40.9 million USD. Vietnam invested in Sri Lanka with a capital flow of 300,000 USD. The key areas of cooperation between the two countries include: agriculture, information technology and communications, pharmaceuticals, garments, port cities, and transportation. Ambassador Poshitha Perera hopes to invite Vietnamese investors to Sri Lanka to learn about the potential and investment environment.

At the information sharing session, Ambassador Poshitha Perera answered questions from officials of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations about policies, economic and social situation of Sri Lanka and Vietnam – Sri Lanka cooperation.